Ingenious Devices
Studio album by
Big Big Train
Released30 June 2023
Recorded2018–2020, September 2022
Studio
GenreProgressive rock
Length60:03
Big Big Train chronology
Welcome to the Planet
(2022)		 Ingenious Devices
(2023)		 The Likes of Us
(2024)

Ingenious Devices is the fifteenth studio album by English progressive rock band Big Big Train, released on 30 June, 2023. It includes four studio tracks that were recorded in 2019 and one live track that was recorded in September 2022.[1] Three tracks are re-recordings, except for the vocals of the late David Longdon.[1]

Background

The album includes a 17-piece string section that was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in 2018, this is featured on all of the studio tracks.[2] These strings were recorded for the track "Voyager", from the album Grand Tour, though when it to recorded them, they also recorded strings for "East Coast Racer", from English Electric Part Two.[2] Strings were also recorded in 2020 for the upgraded version of the track "Brooklands", which was from the Folklore album.[2]

The plan for these songs was to completely re-record them, but the death of lead singer David Longdon meant that the vocals from the original recordings would have to be used.[2] On the decision to re-record the songs, founder and bassist Gregory Spawton said "I was always happy with the original recorded version of 'East Coast Racer', but adding the strings at Abbey Road gave the song a further lift and the new recording also features Dave Gregory's guitar solo on the closing section, a solo which has only previously featured on live performances of the song. I am pleased we now have the definitive studio version on Ingenious Devices. By contrast, I was never entirely satisfied with 'Brooklands' and felt it got a bit overlooked on the Folklore album, which is perhaps why we've not played the song live yet. The Abbey Road strings have significantly enhanced the song and I'm delighted with the outcome. The changes to 'Voyager' are more subtle but still elevate the song beyond the version on our Grand Tour album."[1]

The other two tracks are an orchestral piece called "The Book of Ingenious Devices", and a live version of the song "Atlantic Cable", from the album Common Ground, which was recorded at Friars Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire in September 2022.[2][3]

Differences from the original versions of the songs include an extended outro section to "East Coast Racer", which was written by then keyboardist Danny Manners for live shows with a guitar solo from then guitarist Dave Gregory.[2] This song was completely re-recorded by the 2019 line-up.[4]: 1:00  "Brooklands" includes newly recorded drums, bass and bass pedals,[4]: 1:08  and "Voyager" includes additional guitar and violin.[4]: 1:16 

Track listing

All music is composed by Gregory Spawton (except for the closing section of "East Coast Racer")

Ingenious Devices track listing
No.TitleMusicOriginal albumLength
1."East Coast Racer"Danny Manners and Gregory Spawton (Closing Section)English Electric Part Two15:52
2."The Book of Ingenious Devices"  1:23
3."Brooklands" Folklore12:29
4."Voyager" Grand Tour14:10
5."Atlantic Cable" (live) Common Ground15:24

Personnel

"East Coast Racer", "Brooklands" and "Voyager"[5]

with

  • Dave Desmond – trombone, brass arrangements
  • Ben Godfrey – trumpet and cornet
  • Nick Stones – French horn
  • John Storey – euphonium
  • Jon Truscott – tuba

and the Abbey Road string section (conducted by Rick Wentworth and James Shearman, string arrangements by John Hinchey, Dave Gregory, Danny Manners and Rachel Hall)

"Atlantic Cable"[5]

  • Alberto Bravin – vocals, keyboards
  • Nick D'Virgilio – drums, vocals
  • Dave Foster – guitars
  • Oskar Holldorff – keyboards, vocals
  • Clare Lindley – violin, vocals
  • Rikard Sjoblom – guitars, keyboards, vocals
  • Gregory Spawton – bass, bass pedals

Charts

Chart performance for Ingenious Devices
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[6] 19
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[7] 11

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ingenious Devices". Big Big Train. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Spawton, Gregory (January 2023). "Ingenious Devices booklet".
  3. ↑ Atlantic Cable by Big Big Train - live at Friars, Aylesbury, UK in September 2022. English Electric Recordings. 10 May 2023 – via YouTube.
  4. 1 2 3 Big Big Train - Ingenious Devices - Album Release Trailer. English Electric Recordings. 19 January 2023 – via YouTube.
  5. 1 2 Ingenious Devices (liner notes). English Electric Recordings. 2023. EERCD0033.
  6. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  7. ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
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